Though it would be refreshing to get out of Southern Oregon for a few days, that probably isn’t going to happen this holiday season. Still I’m not complaining. Neither is Aiko. We are spending Thanksgiving week at a particularly sweet spot in Ashland, Oregon.
The front of the house is 30 steps below street level and secluded by landscaping. There’s a swimming pool, indoor hot tub, porch swing on the lower rear deck, stunning views from the upper back deck, a fireplace, and even a piano. Best of all it is inviting. Some homes feel like my mother’s formal living room which was only used when we had company, but not this one. It’s quiet and peaceful. It feels like a retreat.
The resident dogs are a pair of Corgis. Dodger and Dylan are brothers – litter mates as well as pack mates.
Dylan and Dodger
The boys are very vocal, and Dodger can be a bit of a bully. But my dogs love them. Doris and Posy can both be bullies to0, so they are a natural fit with Dodger and Dylan. As a gentler soul I don’t know why Aiko gets so excited about encountering them, or why he is so in love with this place but he’s always vocally enthusiastic about being here whether we’re just stopping by or staying for the night.
The dogs all get along well. Even with their mutually pugnacious personalities they don’t fight with each other as long as you don’t throw food on the floor between them.
They enjoy romping around in the steeply sloped backyard. All of them except Aiko charge the fence and bark like mad when the deer and other wildlife pass through the vacant lot next door. Aiko is usually digging a hole in search of whatever lives underground here.
We are also within walking distance of downtown, several hiking trails (including the one in Lithia Park that is dog friendly), a couple of city parks that allow dogs on leashes, the dog park, and the bike path. So when we want to explore past the back gate we have a lot of options.
We have days of fun ahead of us. Hopefully it won’t rain too much!
Aiko's Adventures 